I'm not hiding: Johns

BRISBANE: It is rugby league's equivalent of the irresistible force meeting the immovable object. Arguably league's most lethal attacking weapon Andrew Johns says he is "looking forward" to an Origin III showdown with the man he describes as the NRL's best defender, Tonie Carroll.

The Maroons painted a target on NSW matchwinner Johns's head after Queensland hitman Carroll overcame a calf injury and was cleared on Sunday for tomorrow's Origin clash. Johns yesterday said he knew Carroll would be on a mission to "ruffle my feathers" for the 25th anniversary series decider at Suncorp Stadium. He wouldn't have it any other way. "He's on a mission (but), if he concentrates on me then I am sure Braith (Anasta), Mini (Anthony Minichiello) or any other player will get through the hole he creates when he comes out of the (defensive) line at me."

Johns said he had received "extra motivation" to repeat his Origin II match-winning form thanks to recent comments by Queensland great Wally Lewis. The Maroons legend told a Sydney magazine that the only way Queensland could stop Johns was to "knock his head off".

"If anything it is a bit more extra motivation. We haven't done anything at training to try to protect me or anything like that," he said.

"I know what's coming, they are going to be trying to put me on my backside, ruffle my feathers and get at me and I suppose wipe me out of the game."

Johns completed nine tackles in last month's 32-22 Origin II win after "hiding" in the defensive line to leave plenty of gas in attack.

He said there would be nowhere to hide in Origin III. "I try to do it every game, I try and get out on the edges, try and stay away and keep myself fresh for attack," he said.

"It's a ploy that (former Blues coach Phil) 'Gus' Gould got me doing a couple of years ago to keep me fresh for the back end of the game. But I don't think I'll be hiding too much on Wednesday, I think they will find me."